Sahil Jilani’s Family Mourns 24-Year-Old Houston Man Found Dead in Tennessee

Sahil Jilani’s family is mourning the death of the 24-year-old Houston man whose body was recovered from Abrams Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on October 8, 2026. His sister, Asma Jilani Bustamante, confirmed the death and revealed that their mother was hospitalized after learning what had happened to her son.

The family is now arranging to bring Jilani’s body back to Houston while seeking financial assistance for funeral expenses, medical care and family support. His death followed a search that began when he disappeared during a visit to Tennessee on October 5.

Jilani’s sister has also shared details about his relationship with his parents, his excitement about becoming an uncle and his plans to take on financial responsibilities at home.

Who Are Sahil Jilani’s Family Members?

Sahil Jilani belonged to a Houston-based family that includes his parents, sister Asma Jilani Bustamante, brother-in-law Frank Bustamante and a young niece.

His sister has been the family’s main public spokesperson since his disappearance. She provided updates about the search and later organized a fundraising campaign following confirmation of his death.

The names of Jilani’s parents have not been publicly confirmed in the available family statements. Details about their occupations and personal backgrounds have also remained private.

According to Asma, Jilani was particularly concerned about his parents’ future and wanted to help them financially.

He had hoped to take over household bills so that his mother could retire within the next few years. He also planned to help his father pay for dental procedures.

These plans were among the personal details his sister shared after his death.

Sahil Jilani’s Sister Asma Jilani Bustamante

Asma Jilani Bustamante has played a central role in communicating with the public about her brother’s disappearance and death.

She previously worked as an entertainment journalist and event emcee, according to information she shared in the family’s fundraising appeal.

Following the recovery of her brother’s body, she publicly confirmed that the search had ended.

Bustamante wrote on Facebook on October 9, “With extremely heavy hearts, we share the news that the search for Sahil has ended, and he has passed away.”

She subsequently provided further information about his life, family relationships and the circumstances surrounding the search.

In her fundraising statement, she described Jilani as a private person who cared deeply about his relatives.

She also explained that she and her husband, Frank Bustamante, intended to take responsibility for several family obligations that Sahil had hoped to fulfill.

The couple plans to bring Asma’s mother into their home and provide financial support as she recovers from the loss.

Sahil Jilani’s Mother Hospitalized After His Death

Jilani’s mother was hospitalized after receiving confirmation that her son had died.

His sister disclosed the hospitalization in the family’s public fundraising statement. The exact nature of their mother’s medical condition has not been released.

According to Bustamante, their mother became concerned about Jilani on October 5, when he stopped responding to messages and his location-sharing service stopped updating.

The family considered his silence unusual because he generally remained in regular contact.

Bustamante said, “Mom felt something was terribly wrong. He never went hours without checking in, but his location sharing stopped in a dead zone. We requested a welfare check from rangers the next day, but were told hikers often lose service. We kept requesting help as our fear grew.”

The family continued seeking assistance as Jilani remained unreachable.

His mother is now receiving medical attention, while relatives are working to arrange ongoing care and financial support.

Sahil Jilani Had Recently Become an Uncle

Another detail shared by Jilani’s family concerns his relationship with his young niece.

According to his sister, Jilani had recently become an uncle and was looking forward to spending time with the child as she grew older.

He planned to buy her gifts and eventually introduce her to martial arts and self-defense.

Fitness and mixed martial arts were among his personal interests.

His sister described these plans while explaining the role he had hoped to play in his family’s future.

The family’s public statements have not disclosed the niece’s name or other identifying details.

What Happened During Sahil Jilani’s Disappearance?

Jilani was last seen at approximately 8 p.m. on October 5 at Riverstone Campground in Townsend, Tennessee.

After his family lost contact with him, concerns increased because his phone’s location could no longer be tracked.

On October 7, search teams discovered his vehicle at the Abrams Falls trailhead inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

His phone, keys and clothing were later recovered near the waterfall, according to information provided by his family.

On October 8, rescue divers recovered his body from the water at Abrams Falls.

His family believes he drowned after becoming caught in powerful currents near the waterfall. However, that explanation has not been confirmed through a final official investigative report.

The circumstances surrounding his entry into the water remain unclear.

Family Plans to Bring Sahil Jilani Back to Houston

Following the recovery of his body, Jilani’s relatives began arranging transportation from Tennessee to Houston.

His sister explained that the family faced several expenses, including funeral arrangements, transportation costs, medical treatment and counseling.

Asma and Frank Bustamante also plan to provide longer-term financial assistance to their mother.

The couple intends to help cover household expenses while she receives care and adjusts to life following her son’s death.

The family has not publicly announced a confirmed funeral date or burial arrangements.

Asma Jilani Launches Fundraiser for Family Support

Asma established a GoFundMe campaign titled Honoring Sahil Jilani: Family Support & Saving Lives.

The campaign seeks donations for expenses related to Jilani’s death and his mother’s hospitalization.

It also outlines plans to support the family’s financial needs while they manage funeral arrangements and medical care.

The fundraising appeal identifies several areas where donations may be used, including uncovered medical expenses, grief counseling, transportation and funeral costs not covered by insurance.

Asma has also proposed using part of the support to develop a water safety awareness initiative in her brother’s memory.

The amount that could eventually be allocated to that project has not been determined.

She explained that immediate family expenses would take priority.

Sahil Jilani’s Family Wants to Raise Water Safety Awareness

Jilani’s relatives hope to use his death to draw attention to dangerous currents near waterfalls and other natural swimming areas.

Abrams Falls is a popular destination within Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The waterfall is approximately 25 feet high and flows into a deep pool.

Although the location attracts hikers and visitors, strong currents and underwater hazards can make entering the water dangerous.

The family believes these conditions may have contributed to Jilani’s death.

Bustamante has encouraged visitors to take warning signs seriously, share their travel plans and prepare for areas without mobile phone coverage.

She has also discussed the potential importance of satellite communication devices for people traveling through remote locations.

Her proposed awareness campaign remains in the planning stage.

Latest Update on Sahil Jilani’s Family

As of October 12, 2026, Sahil Jilani’s family has confirmed his death, and his sister continues to coordinate financial support through the family’s fundraising campaign.

His mother was hospitalized following the news, and Asma Jilani Bustamante and Frank Bustamante are planning to provide her with ongoing care and assistance.

The family is also arranging to return Jilani’s body to Houston for funeral services.

The official cause of death remains pending, and no confirmed funeral schedule has been publicly released.